{"id":5351,"date":"2019-11-15T06:00:18","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T06:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5351"},"modified":"2021-05-12T12:42:38","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T12:42:38","slug":"which-stds-can-be-checked-with-a-blood-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/which-stds-can-be-checked-with-a-blood-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Which STDs can be checked with a blood test?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Testing for STDs and STIs with a blood test is quick and simple. While a needle isn\u2019t everyone\u2019s first choice, many blood tests are now performed by simply pricking the end of the finger and collecting a small drop of blood. But which STIs can be tested for by blood, and how does it work? Here, we summarise the testing methods for various STIs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HIV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which stays in the\nbody for life once contracted, is best detected by blood. Testing methods\ndiffer depending on how much time has passed since an incident of concern and\nmay include looking for the p24 antigen \u2013 the first marker of the presence of\nan HIV infection \u2013 and\/or antibodies – the proteins made by the immune system\nin response to a virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, a confirmatory test is performed before deeming an individual to be HIV-positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several different blood tests which can detect the presence of HIV in the body:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIV DUO Test<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Combining testing for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and the p24\nantigen, this test is referred to as the \u2018DUO\u2019. This is the test recommended by\nthe UK\u2019s current HIV testing guidelines, accurate at 28 days after potential\nexposure. In comparison to the 4th<\/sup> generation HIV test, a 5th<\/sup>\ngeneration test will specify whether it is the HIV 1 antibodies, HIV 2\nantibodies or the p24 antigen that has triggered a reactive result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RNA PCR Test<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is the earliest possible test available to detect an\nHIV infection. The PCR testing method can detect HIV 1 in the body at ten days\npost-exposure. This means that anyone who is worried about HIV can get tested\nten days after an incident of concern. It is recommended that this test is\nfollowed up with a DUO test at 28 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instant HIV Test<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the DUO test, the HIV Instant test can detect HIV 1, 2 and the p24 antigen. This test can be performed 26 days after any incident of concern. Rather than sending the blood sample to a laboratory for analysis, this test is run on the spot with results in less than 20 minutes while you wait at your appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"blood
A drop of blood can be used to test for several STIs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis\nA, B and C<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis is a viral infection affecting the liver. There are many types of Hepatitis, all of which can be tested for with a sample of blood. While some blood tests detect antibodies, other tests look for the virus itself. There are also blood tests available that can determine whether a person is immune to Hepatitis following a vaccine or a past infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herpes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is an infection which causes sores in the genital area or around the mouth. There are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. It is estimated that up to 70% of the world\u2019s population under 50 years of age are infected with HSV-1. However, many people do not know that they have the virus as it often presents no symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst a swab of the infected area can be taken if the patient\nis showing symptoms, a blood test is used to detect the HSV antibodies when there\nare no visible symptoms. Anyone testing for Herpes by blood should bear in mind\nthat it is possible to carry the virus but never show symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syphilis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the viruses mentioned above, Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can cause serious long-term damage to the body over time. Syphilis can be tested for by blood when no symptoms are present, or by swab, if a person has a visible sore or lesion which may potentially be caused by the early stages of Syphilis. A blood test will detect antibodies at just nine days post-exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after a Syphilis infection has been treated, the antibodies may remain detectable for many years. This means that retesting may produce a \u2018positive\u2019 result, even when the infection is no longer present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood tests with Better2Know<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Please contact our sexual health advisory team for more\ninformation on any of our blood tests or to arrange an appointment. If you are\nworried about STIs, you may want to consider one or more of our Instant tests<\/a>. We\ncan help you to relieve any concerns you have about your sexual health today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

[1] Tests to\nDiagnose Genital Herpes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2] Herpes\nSimplex Virus Type 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3] Hepatitis\nB Blood Tests<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4] Syphilis:\nInformation for blood donors<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Testing for STDs and STIs with a blood test is quick and simple. While a needle isn\u2019t everyone\u2019s first choice, many blood tests are now performed by simply pricking the end of the finger and collecting a small drop of blood. But which STIs can be tested for by blood, and how does it work? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[2178,29,25,17,6,1438,8,7],"tags":[2180,246,2179,265,179,180,79,116],"yst_prominent_words":[642,2165,2163,2173,2172,2177,2167,678,2168,2171,792,2169,2166,563,2174,706,2164,2170,797],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5351"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5351"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6174,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5351\/revisions\/6174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5351"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=5351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}